Single Touch Payroll Penalties

Single Touch Payroll (STP) has certainly given bookkeepers and their clients a lot to think about, and we all can appreciate that the ATO has taken a measured and considered approach to its implementation. But we all know that this approach was going to change once businesses were given sufficient time to prepare for the STP implementation phase.

Going forward the expectation of the ATO will quite rightly shift to an oversight model that acknowledges the complex nature of STP implementation for small business but also assigns appropriate penalties for those who don’t comply with the new reporting requirements.

The ATO have informally advised that they aren’t looking to directly pursue and impose penalties for small and closely held entities for the next 12 months to allow them time to settle into the new reporting regime.

However, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers strongly recommends that all small businesses are reporting by the current 30th September 2019 deadline. Small and closely held entities not reporting by the current deadline may benefit from an exemption term upon application and thus avoid the risk of attracting penalties, noting that this term will be ending on the 30 June 2021. Concessions for larger employers no longer apply.

The ATO penalty documentation now lists that failure to lodge STP reports is a failure to lodge event. A failure to lodge penalty is calculated at a rate of $210 dollars per 28 day interval of lateness or part thereof. This is capped at 5 penalty units. Companies with turnover between $1-20 million will see this penalty multiplied by two ($420). Large companies with turnover in excess of $20 million will see their penalty multiplied by 500 ($105,000).

These recent changes to the ATO’s penalty documentation are available for your review at the link provided below. The ATO penalty documentation, per the ATO website indicates that each penalty event will result in a $210 penalty assignment, while the cap levels were outlined by Acting Director Amanda Lehmann at a recent ATO presentation. Ms Lehmann noted that only a minute number of letters have been sent to large firms neither lodging or applying for deferral.

Clearly it’s in everyone’s best interests, to ensure STP compliance. If you do need to apply for STP lodgement deferrals, please contact us.

PREPARED BY THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED BOOKKEEPERS

Need some help with your Bookkeeping?

We’re here to help, don’t let your questions go unanswered. Complete your query below and we’ll respond.

4 + 3 =

Latest Blog Articles

Workers owed $3.6bn in super guarantee

Workers are owed over $3.6 billion in superannuation guarantee according to the latest Australian Taxation Office estimates – a figure the Government and the regulators are looking to dramatically change. – Workers owed $3.6bn in super guarantee.

read more

The challenges of being a carer

This article examines a real-life case to reveal how caregivers juggle financial pressures and emotional challenges. It stresses the importance of caregivers looking after their own well-being, offering practical advice on accessing vital financial assistance. – The challenges of being a carer.

read more

When is food GST-free?

A recent case before the AAT demonstrates how fine the dividing line is between GST-free and taxable foods. – When is food GST-free?

read more

The material and contents provided in this publication are informative in nature only.
It is not intended to be advice and you should not act specifically on the basis of this information alone. If expert assistance is required, professional advice should be obtained.

 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation